asked the Minister for Local Government if relief of agricultural rates will be granted to the farmers and landowners in that portion of County Meath which is being transferred to the areas administered by Louth County Council and Drogheda Corporation, as the transfer will mean a big increase in rates for the farmers in this area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Rates.
70.
Where the adjustment of local authority boundaries has resulted in a significant change in the rates liability on foot of property affected by such adjustments it has been the practice to provide for the phasing-in of the new rates liability over an acceptable period of time. I intend to provide in the proposed Drogheda boundary extension order for such a phasing-in arrangement in the case of any land, buildings and other rateable hereditaments which will be involved in the proposed extension of the Drogheda borough boundary. This House will have the opportunity to consider the proposed arrangements when the necessary confirming Bill is introduced.
Would the Minister consider giving the normal relief on all land going into the Drogheda Corporation area when he brings in his new Bill? That land is very highly valued.
What does Deputy Crinion mean by the normal relief?
The ordinary agricultural relief on rates.
I am sure Deputy Crinion is aware that under the law that cannot be done. What is done is —and I am sure Deputy Crinion knows this—that under the Local Government Act, 1946, various reliefs on rates are given to land holders in such areas. In the case of the Drogheda borough, a relief of one-quarter applies and thus liability for rates on land is based on three-quarters of the rateable valuation rather than on the full valuation.
Will they not be paying more rates in Drogheda than they were in County Meath?
They will, but not to the extent Deputy Crinion suggests and not immediately. Over a number of years they will eventually come under the Drogheda Corporation but, even then, they will pay to the extent of three-quarters only on agricultural land within the borough boundary. They will not be doing badly at all.
How many years will the phasing out take?
In the case of Cork it was five years, but possibly because of the big difference between the rates in Louth and Meath, it might require a longer period.